Resources, primary industry and conflict in Sierra Leone

Publication date:

Oct 1997

Source:

Conciliation Resources

Conflicts and power in Sierra Leone are intertwined with the control of its natural resources. This article, produced by Conciliation Resources, looks at the trade of the most precious of these: diamonds.

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This article was produced by Conciliation Resources, with the support of other organisations, and focuses on the link between the diamond industry in Sierra Leone and ongoing instability in the country.

It briefly explains the different types of diamonds and mines in Sierra Leone. It then looks at the role of multinationals, such as Diamond Works and The Rex Diamond Mining Corporation, and examines the effect of the coup on them. Insecurity threatens the financial viability of some companies.

Given the collapse of regulation, the increased use of diamonds in the purchase of arms and the foiled plot to restore the ousted government by international businesses motivated by access to diamonds, the article asks the question: are Sierra Leone's rich resources in fact its biggest curse?